WORCESTERSHIRE'S cricketers have started to warm up for the 2001 season with regular indoor training sessions.

Increasing fitness levels is their first priority under the watchful eye of assistant New Road coach Damian D'Oliviera.

And by the time newly appointed Director of Coaching Tom Moody arrives at the end of Western Australia's season in March the players aim to be in tip-top shape to step up their pre-season programme.

Moody's fellow Aussie Andy Bichel is among the new players in the County's ranks for the coming campaign, plus batsman Anurag Singh , a right-hand top order batsman from Warwickshire.

Another one to watch is Nick Boulton, who had a prolific season with the bat for the New Road second eleven last season. He was previously on Somerset's books.

D'Oliveira is particularly excited by Singh's capture, saying: "He's very much out of the Vikram Solanki mould.

"If you get the two of them going together at the same time it could be quite interesting."

D'Oliveira is also optimistic about development of Worcestershire's up-and coming players.

He said: "We have got quite a lot of talented young players."